How to Stop Asian Hate
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Violence against Asians is on the rise in America. On March 16, a white man walked into a spa in Atlanta, Georgia with a gun and began shooting strangers. He proceeded to walk into two more spas and continue on a mass shooting spree, killing eight people. While the horrific act has not been officially categorized as a hate crime, six of the eight people killed were Asian women.
To the Asian community, it was heartbreaking, but not shocking. Donald Trump implied that Chinese people were to blame for the global pandemic, inciting a wave of anti-Asian sentiments. Since then, attacks on Asian-Americans have increased. Racism is a complicated and systemic problem, but there are many ways in which you can help fight back and stop Asian hate.
Listen and Learn
No matter how well-meaning we are, we are all limited by our own experiences. You never know what you don’t know, and that’s OK. It just means you have to educate yourself about the issues affecting Asian-Americans today. A recently filmed five-hour documentary from PBS is a good place to start. Podcasts like "Dear Asian Americans" and "Asian Enough" can help you understand the experience of America’s Asian community as well.
Talk to family members, friends and coworkers about racial issues, like microaggressions and white privilege. Openly discussing the issues can help further your understanding and get others involved.
Don’t rely on individuals to educate you, but if someone does open up about racial issues, listen.
Speak Out
When you see a post about Asian-American discrimination or relevant causes, share it. It may not seem like much, but it spreads awareness and makes it easier for people to learn new ways to make an impact. If you witness a racist incident firsthand, do not be silent. Report the incident on the Stop AAPI Hate website immediately.
Support Asian-Owned Businesses
Most of us go to the same restaurants and shops over and over again. Usually, we pick ones that are closest to us. If you live in a predominantly white area, it’s very possible to never frequent a business owned by a person of color unless you intentionally do so.
Look up Asian-owned restaurants in your area, and don’t just visit once. Give them your ongoing business. There are also dozens of Asian-owned small businesses that you can shop from online.
Donate
There are plenty of amazing organizations that support Asian-Americans. Consider donating to the causes below, or check out this list for more ideas.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice — An advocacy and litigation organization that helps empower Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide.
- Asian Mental Health Collective — An Asian mental health support community.
- AAPI Women Lead — Together with the #ImReady Movement, this organization aims to raise the visibility of self-identified Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, empowering them to combat violence and share their stories.
Hate affects us all, so get involved. Listen, learn, donate and support. Even small actions help over time.